Used car guide · 1996–2013

Volvo S40 common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Volvo S40, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 54,227 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 1996 Volvo S40

Too few Volvo S40 cars first registered in 1996 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Volvo S40 as a whole.

51on the UK register at the end of 2025
Petrolmost common fuel (also diesel)
What to check on a 1996 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996

What usually goes wrong with a Volvo S40?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Volvo S40 in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Volvo S40 MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Seat belts

    up to 5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2003 and 2004.

    Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock and retract smoothly.

  • Steering rack

    up to 3.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2009 and 2010.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Ball joint dust cover

    up to 3.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002 and 2003.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Transmission oil leaks

    up to 3.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007 and 2009.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Number plate lights

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002 and 2003.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Sidelights

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002 and 2003.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Diesel

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 3.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Individual direction indicators

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Steering rack

    up to 4.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Anti-roll bar links

    up to 14.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Diesel smoke emissions

    up to 3.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2009 and 2010.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

Volvo S40 MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2006 Volvo S40 did best (59% passed first time, 3 points above all 2006 cars) and the 2011 did worst (57%, 5 points below all 2011 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
201359%67% -8106 (small sample)
201261%64% -33,824
201157%62% -54,345
201058%60% -25,823
200958%59% -17,152
200857%57% +08,705
200758%57% +15,480
200659%56% +35,035
200556%57% -14,345
200453%57% -43,475
200350%57% -71,984
200252%58% -61,348
200154%60% -6960
200057%61% -4649
199955%63% -8405 (small sample)
199858%65% -7382 (small sample)
199758%65% -7209 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Volvo S40

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the Volvo S40 as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the seat belts? (Flagged at MOT 5× as often on the Volvo S40 as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the Volvo S40 as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Volvo S40?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score